CHESTER — A 23-year-old Philadelphia mother allegedly pulled the trigger, a male friend charged as her co-conspirator in the shooting death of popular Rite Aid Pharmacy Manager Jason Scott McClay told investigators following his arrest over the weekend, according to court documents and authorities.

David Wiggins, 24, of Philadelphia, described for investigators how “he was wrestling with the victim when Rita Pultro shot the victim,” during the course of a robbery at the pharmacy Sept. 19, the affidavit of probable cause states.

Pultro, whose driver’s license lists her residence in the 1400 block of East Bristol Street, was arrested Sunday, shortly after 1 p.m. She was sitting on a front porch in the 1300 block of Harrison Street in Philadelphia, when authorities converged on the neighborhood.

“We believe she is the shooter,” Delaware County District Attorney Whelan said at press time Sunday. “We believe they acted in concert to commit the crime, certainly.”

With robbery as the suspected motive of the homicide, Whelan said he would be reviewing it as an aggravating circumstance for the death penalty for both Wiggins and Pultro.

“This is not a closed investigation,” Whelan said, declining to elaborate.

Since late Thursday, a search had been under way for two suspects, including a white or light-skinned African-American woman in her mid-to-late 20s wearing a red-hooded jacket — an image that was caught on store surveillance video and released to media outlets, along with an image of the male suspect.

When county Detective Lt. William “Scott” Bireley advised county Crime Scene Detective Tom Scarpato in Philadelphia on Sunday “that we need to look for the red jacket,” Pultro reportedly blurted out, “I already got rid of the jacket and bandana,” the affidavit states.

Also, when asked Sunday by county Detective David Tyler if she knew why she was under arrest, Pultro allegedly stated, “Yes, because of the robbery in Chester,” according to the affidavit, written by Tyler and city Detective Nelson Collins, lead investigators.

When asked, Pultro further specified the Rite Aid, the affidavit states.

Looking weary Sunday night, Pultro cocked her head and looked downward during a video arraignment by Magisterial District Judge Walter “Sonny” Strohl on multiple charges, including first-, second- and third-degree murder, as well as attempted robbery, firearms not to be carried without a license, recklessly endangering another person and criminal conspiracy. The proceeding was brief and she had no questions for the judge.

Twenty hours before the about 7 p.m. preliminary arraignment, a status posted on a Facebook page for “Rita ZerotosSixty Pultro” read: “My mind is running crazy.” That was about was the same time city Police Commissioner Joseph Bail Jr., Chester Mayor John Linder and D.A. Whelan were announcing Wiggins’ arrest at a press conference at Chester Police Headquarters.

On Sept. 19, another posting on “Rita Zerotosixty Pultro’s Facebook page read, “What they forgot we’re bulletproof,” to which a FB friend responded, “Yes, we are.” That post was “liked” by “Rita Zerotosixty Pultro” on Sept. 19 at 10:21 p.m.

Chester police were dispatched by Delaware County Emergency Communications (911) for a shooting at the Rite Aid at around 9:54 p.m. on Sept. 19. Officer Will McKinzie entered the store and found McClay, who was pronounced dead at the scene by Crozer-Chester paramedics.

Wiggins and Pultro were described as “friends” by a police source. According to documents, they were the only customers in the pharmacy when McClay, 40, was gunned down in aisle 14, a few minutes before the scheduled 10 p.m. closing.

Jason Scott McClay’s death was ruled a homicide due to a perforating close range gunshot wound to the neck and chest area, according to official “findings” of Assistant Delaware County Medical Examiner Dr. Bennett Preston.

His death brings the toll of homicides to 15 in Chester and 22 in Delaware County.

Sherry McClay, the victim’s stepmother, said the family received a call from Tyler at around 2 p.m. Sunday alerting them to Pultro’s arrest. The family received a similar call Saturday after Wiggins’ apprehension.

“We’re glad they got her off the streets before she can do any more harm,” McClay said. “We’re thankful to the police departments and detectives working the case.”

Family members were on their way to a private viewing when they received the call, she said.

McClay is a graduate of Haverford High School and a veteran of the U.S. Navy. In addition to working for Rite Aid, he was a bouncer at Maggie O’Neill’s Irish Pub & Restaurant in Upper Darby. According to his father, Bruce C. McClay, Jason was working extra hours Thursday to cover for a co-worker who had been detained. He remembered his son as a thoughtful, generous man, who was always good to his family.

Friday night, McClay was remembered in the community as well.

Prior to a football game between Strath Haven and Haverford, Strath Haven officials held a moment of silence for McClay, who played football at Haverford.

Both Wiggins and Pultro are convicted felons, according to documents.

Within four hours of the crime, investigators identified Wiggins’ palm print, which was lifted from an exit door of the pharmacy. He was positively identified by two witnesses from an array of eight photographs as the male customer, according to documents.

Investigators have three additional witnesses identifying Pultro as the female suspect.

According to the affidavit, one witness said Pultro was working a 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. bartending shift Thursday at “25 and Up” bar in Philadelphia when she said she had to leave to meet her child at the hospital. That witness said Pultro returned several hours later, around 10:30 p.m., and completed the shift.

Two other witnesses, both of whom have known Pultro for about 18 months and positively identified her as a suspect, recognized the red jacket worn by the female suspect in the surveillance photo as belonging to one of their family members, the affidavit states.

At the time of her arrest Sunday, Pultro told investigators that she did not know where the whereabouts of the gun used in the murder.

No firearm has been recovered.

Both Wiggins and Pultro are being held at the county prison without bail. Wiggins’ preliminary hearing is scheduled Sept. 25; Pultro’s is set for Oct. 2.

Sunday night, Whelan commended the joint efforts of city and county investigator, as well as Philadelphia police and U. S. Marshals. Earlier Sunday, Chester Police Capt. Anita Amaro thanked “the public for the rapid responses and numerous tips calls that lead to the quick arrest of these two individuals.”

Additional information pertaining to this case will continue to be accepted by calling Collins at 610-447-8431, Tyler at 610-891-4708, or 911.

A $20,000 reward has been posted by Rite Aid and Rx Patrol, in conjunction with the Citizens Crime Commission. Information can be called into the Crime Commission Tipline at 215-546-TIPS (8477.) Callers do not have to leave their name.